Waiting on Wednesday: The Survivor Wants to Die at the End by Adam Silvera

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The Survivor Wants to Die at the End by Adam Silvera. 720. The Both Die at the End #3. Quill Tree Books/ HarperCollins Publishers, May 6, 2025. 9780063240858.

Waiting on Wednesday features The Survivor Wants to Die at the End by Adam Silvera. I really loved They Both Die and the End and The First to Die at the End. Here's the publisher synopsis: Paz Dario stays up every night, waiting for the Death-Cast call that would mean he doesn’t have to keep faking his way through this lonely life. After a devastating day, Paz decides he’s done waiting around for Death-Cast. If they say he’s not dying, he’ll just have to prove them wrong. But right before Paz can die, a boy saves his life.

Alano Rosa is heir to the Death-Cast empire that encourages everyone to live their best lives, but he doesn’t feel in control of his own existence thanks to his father. And with a violent organization called the Death Guard threatening Alano, his End Day might be closer than he thinks. It’s time to live.

Fate brings Paz and Alano together, but it’s now up to the boys to survive the tragic trials ahead so no one dies at the end.

This book contains themes that some readers may find difficult.

Happy reading!

Middle Grade Monday: Invisible Isabel by Sally J. Pla

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Invisible Isabel by Sally J. Pla. Illustrated by Tania de Regil. 208 p. Quill Tree Books/ HarperCollins Publishers, July, 2024. 9780063268852. Review of finished copy courtesy of Blue Slip Media.

Happy Monday! I have a little over two weeks left of summer break, and am pet/ housesitting for my oldest son while he and his family are away. I had to board Helga with the rescue since they didn't think it would be a good idea to bring her and Boo to a strange house with two strange dogs, one of whom can be territorial. Turns out, Helga will probably get adopted today. She had a successful meet and greet with the adopter and two of her dogs yesterday. Today, she will go to the country to meet the other two dogs and, if all goes well, will stay. I'm happy for her, but sad too. She's a smart, sweet dog who has come a long way. I'm happy to be part of her recovery, but she will be happier in the country with her new dog-trainer mom. Here's one of my last pix of her with Boo before the rescue came to pick her up.

Middle Grade Monday features Invisible Isabel by Sally J. Pla. Anxious Isabel feels like she doesn't fit in with her large, loud family. She knows she doesn't fit in at school, where new girl, Monica seems to have alienated her 'sort of' friends against her. Not only that, but her teacher doesn't seem to like her and is constantly reminding the class about the very important state testing that they have to do well on. She describes her feelings as "worry moths" and talks about practicing smiling and being a good friend, only to be crushed to learn that she was the only girl not invited to Monica's birthday part. Her mother thinks her stomach aches are all in her head, but one day, the pain feels different. Isabel feels invisible, but also, a part of her wants to be invisible.

This gentle, illustrated verse novel is told mostly from Isabel's point of view and beautifully conveys the struggles of a tween struggling with anxiety. Isabel is instantly relatable. Readers will laugh at her subtle humor and root for her as she finds her voice. Some poems reflect Monica's point-of-view, where readers learn a bit of her backstory. The illustrations add to the story. 

Once again, Sally J. Pla delivers an insightful glimpse into the inner life of a neurodivergent child. Invisible Isabel is a welcome addition to any library.

Middle Grade Monday: The Fire, the Water and Maudie McGinn by Sally J. Pla

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The Fire, the Water and Maudie McGinn by Sally J. Pla.  336 p. Quill Tree Books/ HarperCollins Publisher, July 11, 2023. 9780063268814. (Review of arc courtesy of Blue Slip Media.)

Happy Monday! I hope you had a wonderful weekend.  It's the penultimate Monday of the school year for me and I am ready for the break. Middle Grade Monday features The Fire, the Water and Maudie McGuin by Sally J. Pla. Thirteen-year-old Maudie always looks forward to summers because she spends them with her dad in his cabin in California. She's autistic and he accepts her the way she is and doesn't belittle her the way her mom and now, her new step-father do. Almost immediately, her dad senses something is not right and asks Maudie if she's okay. Maudie is not okay, but has been sworn to secrecy by her mother. Then comes the wildfire. Maudie and her dad have to evacuate the cabin. They head down the coast to her dad's hometown. Her dad's best friend runs a trailer park and puts them up in a trailer while her dad tries to find work. Maudie spends her days at the beach getting up the courage to ask local surf legend, Etta for lessons. She wants to win the beginners surf contest at the end-of-summer bash. There's prize money and it might be enough to help her dad and maybe stay with him instead of returning to Texas.

This first-person novel unfolds quietly as Maudie copes with her traumas. Short chapters with poems interspersed throughout reflect Maudie's thoughtful insights. They also ratchet up tension as she gradually reveals the secret she carries. Readers will root for Maudie as she gains confidence, learns to surf and makes friends. Other characters are equally endearing and wonderfully supportive of Maudie. 

The Fire, the Water and Maudie McGinn releases on July 11. I adored this book. Put it on your radar. It would be a great SEL title and perfect for any school, classroom or public library. 

Middle Grade Monday: School Trip by Jerry Craft

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School Trip by Jerry Craft. 256 p. Quill Tree Books/ HarperCollins Publishers, April, 2023. (Review of finished purchased copy.)

Oops! Forgot to post this yesterday! Happy Monday! What an awful, rainy weekend! Driving in the rain is just the pits and I had to drive to and from Massachusetts this  weekend! Thank goodness it was for a happy event and I had an excellent audiobook (tune in on Tuesday). 

Since TMS is winding down class trip season, now seems to be a good day to feature School Trip by Jerry Craft for Middle Grade Monday. Jordan is finishing eighth grade at Riverdale Middle School. He's excited for his upcoming school trip to Paris. He and his friends have plans to room together and roam the City of Lights. They don't count on their fave teachers not being able to make the trip nor are they happy that Andy will be a roommate. When Jordan receives an acceptance letter to his dream art school, he surprised that his joy is tempered with worry.

This third installment in the New Kid series is just as insightful, hilarious and endearing as the two previous books, the Newbery-winning, New Kid and Class Act. Happy reading and happy May Day!

Middle Grade Monday and Audiobook Review: Falling Short by Ernesto Cisneros

 

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Falling Short by Ernesto Cisneros. Unabridged book on Playaway, ~5 hours. Read by Timothy Andrés Pabon and Gary Tiedemann. Findaway World/ Quill Tree Books/ HarperCollins Publishers, March, 2022. 9781669609469. (Review of audiobook borrowed from public library.)

Happy Monday! I hope you had a wonderful weekend. Middle Grade Monday features Falling Short by Ernesto Cisneros. Marco and Isaac are best friends who are entering middle school. Marco is short and does well in school. Isaac is tall, excels at basketball, but struggles in school. The two also have some issues at home. Isaac's mom left his dad due to his alcoholism and Marco's father is rarely visits. Isaac hopes that if he gets good grades, his parents' marriage will heal and Marco hopes that if he makes the basketball team, his father will visit more. Isaac coaches Marco in b-ball and Marco tutors Isaac. That'll work, right?

Falling Short is Mr. Cisneros' sophomore novel. It is very different than his award-winning debut, Efrain Divided. The friendship between the two boys stands front and center, where they unconditionally support each other despite being pulled in different directions socially. I loved this. Family issues were realistically portrayed and the adults were mostly trying to do the right thing. This dynamic, the dual POV and short chapters make this a quick and satisfying read. The two narrators portrayed the warmth of the boys' friendship and seamlessly shifted between English and Spanish.

Falling Short is a first-purchase! 

Waiting on Wednesday: School Trip by Jerry Craft

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School Trip by Jerry Craft. 256 p. Quill Tree Books/ Harperollins Publishers, April 4, 2023. 97810062885537.

Waiting on Wednesday features School Trip by Jerry Craft. This is the third book in a series that began with the Newbery Award-winning, New Kid and it releases on April 2. There's plenty of time to read the two companion novels!

Publisher synopsis: Jordan, Drew, Liam, Maury, and their friends from Riverdale Academy Day School are heading out on a school trip to Paris. As an aspiring artist himself, Jordan can’t wait to see all the amazing art in the famous City of Lights.

But when their trusted faculty guides are replaced at the last minute, the school trip takes an unexpected—and hilarious—turn. Especially when trying to find their way around a foreign city ends up being almost as tricky as navigating the same friendships, fears, and differences that they struggle with at home.

Will Jordan and his friends embrace being exposed to a new language, unfamiliar food, and a different culture? Or will they allend up feeling like the “new kid”?

Don’t miss the two hilarious and powerful companion novels by Jerry Craft, New Kid and Class Act!

Waiting on Wednesday: The First to Die at the End by Adam Silvera

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The First to Die at the End by Adam Silvera. 560 p. Quill Tree Books/ HarperCollins Publishers, October 4, 2022.  9780063240803.

Waiting on Wednesday features The First to Die at the End by Adam Silvera. TMS' many fans of Mr. Silvera's third book, They Both Die at the End, published in 2017, will be thrilled to learn about this PREquel, which is releasing on October 4. 

Publisher synopsis:

It’s the night before Death-Cast goes live, and there’s one question on everyone’s mind: Can Death-Cast actually predict when someone will die, or is it just an elaborate hoax?

Orion Pagan has waited years for someone to tell him that he’s going to die. He has a serious heart condition, and he signed up for Death-Cast so he could know what’s coming.

Valentino Prince is restarting his life in New York. He has a long and promising future ahead and he only registered for Death-Cast after his twin sister nearly died in a car accident.

Orion and Valentino cross paths in Times Square and immediately feel a deep connection. But when the first round of End Day calls goes out, their lives are changed forever—one of them receives a call, and the other doesn’t. Though neither boy is certain how the day will end, they know they want to spend it together…even if that means their goodbye will be heartbreaking.

Told with acclaimed author Adam Silvera’s signature bittersweet touch, this story celebrates the lasting impact that people have on each other and proves that life is always worth living to the fullest.

Middle Grade Monday: Red, White and Whole by Rajani LaRocca

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Happy Monday TMS Readers! I hope you had a wonderful Summer Solstice and celebrated the dads in your life yesterday. Middle Grade Monday features Red, White and Whole by Rajani LaRocca. Reha narrates her story in this poignant verse novel set in 1983 about growing up part of two worlds. At school, Reha is the only Indian American; while she has a best friend, she feels isolated. On the weekends, she's immersed in her Indian community, celebrating the culture and hanging with Sunita, her other best friend. She chafes at the constraints her overprotective parents place on her and argues with them to be able to attend a school dance. On the night of the dance, her mother falls ill and then Reha's world is split in two yet again-this time between home and hospital as she and her dad try to cope with her mother's illness.

If you like verse novels, #ownvoices novels and/ or sad stories, Red, White and Whole is the book for you. I read this one with my ears and enjoyed the narration. 

Teen Tuesday and Audiobook Review: Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

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Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo. Unabridged e-audiobook, ~ 5 hours, 33 minutes. Read by the author and Melania Luisa Marte. Quill Tree Books, May, 2020. 9780063011816. (Review of e-audio downloaded from the public library.) 

Teen Tuesday may ring a bell to followers of The Daily Booktalk. I featured it last spring when I reviewed the arc. I recently learned that the author was one of the two narrators of the audiobook and decided to reread the book with my ears since I am such a fan of her narrations, not just of her poetry, but also of prose books, such as Pride by Ibi Zoboi.

This verse novel is a dual narrative. Yahaira lives in New York City with her papi and mami. Until the previous year, she was a chess champion. She stopped playing abruptly when she discovered Papi's secret. She's stubborn and fierce.

Camino lives in the Dominican Republic with her tia. Her mother died ten years ago and her father only visits from June to September. He pays for her private school, but she'd really like for him to bring her to the United States so that she can pursue her dreams of attending Columbia University as a pre-med. These are dashed forever when she learns that he has been killed in a plane crash while en route to the DR. 

Two girls, one father, one secret exposed. 

This intense read comes to brilliant life in the hands of the narrators who play their respective roles to a T. I already knew what was going to happen and still was completely enthralled. Read Clap When You Land with your eyes or with your ears. Just read it. 

The Odyssey Committee agrees. Clap When You Land garnered an Odyssey Honor yesterday morning. 

Middle Grade Monday and Audiobook Review: Efrén Divided by Ernesto Cisneros

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Efrén Divided by Ernesto Cisneros. Unabridged e-audiobook. ~3 hours, 35 minutes. Read by Anthony Ray Perez. Quill Tree Books, April, 2020. 9780062971852.

Middle Grade Monday features Efrén Divided by Ernesto Cisneros. Efrén, our twelve-year-old narrator lives with his undocumented parents in a tiny apartment with his five-year-old twin siblings, Mia and Max. His parents work hard to support the family and are loving and involved. Erfén enjoys school and does well. All this changes when ICE raids his Amá's workplace and she is deported. Now Efrén's Apá has to take on more work and Efrén is tasked with increased responsibility while the family explores ways of bringing Amá home, for the U.S. is really home.

This timely and touching book is the author's debut and it has been getting a fair amount of award buzz. I wouldn't be surprised if it wins something next Monday. Mr. Cisneros paints a vivid picture of a working-class, poor immigrant family rich in culture and love who are hopeful and striving for a better life. Readers will empathize with Efrén as he attempts to balance school with caring for his twin siblings, one of whom has some attention and behavior issues and relate to his grief and fear for the well-being of his family. There are moments of heart-melting mushy joy that somewhat leaven the moments of tension and sheer terror.

Narrator Anthony Ray Perez paces his performance well and beautifully conveys Efrén's love and worry for his family. This is a book that belongs on all library shelves. Timely, relevant, important. 

Waiting on Wednesday: Class Act by Jerry Craft

Image: HarperCollins Publishers

Class Act by Jerry Craft. 256 p. Quill Tree Books/ HarperCollins Publishers, October 6, 2020. 9780062885517.

Waiting on Wednesday features Class Act by Jerry Craft. This is the sequel to his Newbery-winning, New Kid. I haven't yet found a publisher synopsis to copy and paste here, but it doesn't matter. I will need to buy at least two copies to keep up with demand. My students just love New Kid!